Saturday, October 27, 2007

Christmas in October

Perhaps it is rather vain to offer up unsolicited Christmas wish lists, but I can't resist mentioning two items since W.E.B. Du Bois has been a consistent topic on bald blogging.

I'd love to have a W.E.B. Du Bois doll on my desk to watch me as I read and write. This plush little toy would also certainly be a great asset in the classroom as a teaching aide.

And why not wear a W.E.B. Du Bois t-shirt on a day when I lecture about him? Or perhaps wear it when I go for my daily run? I can hear the questions from fellow joggers: "Excuse me, but is that the American Prophet on your t-shirt, and the Black Radical Democrat from Massachusetts?" What a great way to strike up conversations about history.

Although these are products worthy to receive as gifts, and despite the fact that I've taken a humorous tone, I wonder what Du Bois would think about this kind of commidifcation?